Subject: Re: AGAINST THE WRONG INTERPRETATIONFrom:manandhar.r@gmail.comRavi Manadhar JeeNamasteYou bring very pertinent issue to fore. There must be public information campaign and policies formed soon. I might add to pay more attention on ground water and forestation. Kathmandu is becoming like a concrete impervious surface. There must be points for surface waters to go down. House designs may be encouraged to have underground tanks to catch rain water. Matter of fact, the tanks and solar panels should be a part of architect, rather than later additional.I have read some where that wells (Toon / Inar) helps in dampening earthquakes and damage is less around it. Since we had earthquake, it may be good to do some research to see if it is really true. All we need to do is to go around and observe the damages in Chowks with and without wells. I wonder if geology, architecture and civil engineering students could be invited to do so. If it is really so, then wells would serve double as water source and earthquake dampening system.Thanks for your information.Sincerely,Tilak Shrestha, Ph.D.________________________________________________________________________

Effects of the global warming in the Himalayas

Chinese Climatologists have recently reported that the snow in the Mt. Everest is disappearing very fast due to the warming of the Earth and all the rivers fed by the glaciers in the Himalayas might dry up.

The report by the Chinese Climatologists should warn all of the planners of Nepal and the inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley that the dream of drinking water from the Melemchi River might end into a tragedy. The tragedy might be more disastrous than the ongoing scarcity of petrol.

I have never heard that the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea might dry up any time in the distant future of the Earth. Clouds formed in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are the sources of rain-fall in Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu Valley has plenty of rain-fall and India would never have the technology to stop the rain-fall in Nepal by stopping the clouds over India from travelling towards Nepal.

I would like to opine that rain-water harvesting in Kathmandu Valley by constructing a dam at Chovar Gorge would be the most reliable strategy for meeting the drinking water needs of the capital city of Nepal. Not a single drop of water should be allowed to flow out of the Gorge by constantly deepening Bagmati River without any damage to the cultural heritage of the ghats.

Rain water is the cleanest water in nature that needs almost no purification. The only thing we have to do is to stop polluting the river. Sanitary management of the sewage generated by millions is another main part of the strategy. Bio-technologists might also be able to produce substantial amount of fuel from the human wastes generated by the millions every day.

I would like to suggest the 26 KM long tunnel being constructed to bring water from Melemchi to be adapted to bring liquid fuel from China by extending this tunnel to Tibet. Tibet is located much higher than Kathmandu and the tunnel would bring petrol by gravity with no need of pumps or tankers. The flooding of the river system of the Valley would also solve the problem created by the depletion of the under-ground water resources resulting into the rejuvenation of the age-old water fountains that would certainly enrich the tourism industry of Nepal. Bagmati River with a lot of water round the year might also open new possibilities for the development of river transportation that would help to stop the traffic congestion on the surface roads.

Religiously, I am not biased.The religious structure of Nepalese society is formally Hindu; but here and only here the interplay of peoples and their religious traditions has produced a rich fusion of Hindu and Buddhist faiths. It is common for both Hindus and Buddhists to worship at the same shrine, for many gods and saints are cross-over, often known by a different name but holding the same attributes. The original inhabitants of the valley were animists, a tradition which survives in the multitude of spirits, demons, local deities, and stones which receive dutiful worship to this day. Hindu and Buddhist traditions adapted from the pre-existing animist practices and from each other. Indeed, in the medieval period, when both religions' practice adopted mystical, Tantrik traditions, they were almost indistinguishable from each other.

Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini in the 6th century BC in mid Tarai, Nepal. Nepal has been a pious and holy land for all Buddhists as well as all kinds of religious men and women. Buddha has guided human society on the path of peace, non-violence and prosperous thinking. Gautam Buddha meditated at Sarnath-Banarash and acquired the Light of Knowledge (Mokchya) under the holy fig-tree at Gaya, which is now called Buddha Gaya. The descriptions of famous ancient Chinese pilgrims, Huian Tsang (who traveled through India between AD 629 & 645) and Fa Hein (who traveled between AD 400 & AD 414) indicate to this area, saying, 'Lumbini, where the Lord was born, is a piece of heaven on earth where one could see the snowy mountains amidst a splendid garden embedded with Stupas and monasteries.'

'Hindu culture and traditions have a long history spanning over a period of thousands and thousands of years and developed over several eras. They remain indispensable to the lives of Hindus and Hindu Temples today as sources of religious practices, spiritual inspiration, cultural expression, and social bonding. They bind all Hindus together irrespective of the regional and ethnic diversity. Hindu Temples have been built over so many centuries. All the Temples have their unique history as to how they were built, who built them, what kind of architectures were selected, how they selected the presiding deity, what kind of customs they have developed over the years to run the Temples, and what kind of festivals are performed. As a result, Temples often greatly vary in their appearance, rituals, traditions, festivals and customs from region to region. Temples in southern states, eastern states, northern states and Western India have their distinctive characteristics. These temples are very different from one state to the other. Diversity and imagination are the hallmark of Hindu mind.'

"Hindus have great logical meanings behind everything. If you deeply look into the performance of a Hindu devotee while bowing down to a deity, you will find out that his ritual of moving his hand upward to touch the head first and then touch the eyes and then heart, automatically, makes a cross and the Catholics have adopted this "Cross of Heart" ritual without knowing the depth." Spiritual miraculous, myth filled, the ancient Kathmandu is called the city of Hindu and Buddhist temples and Stupas. It is a wonder where mountains are young and mysterious in wood, stone and metal abound. Every temple has a story and every monument unfolds a myth and every Stupa carries a story. In this city Gods and Goddesses flare through the roads in processions carried from ornate temples.

'In Nepal, religion is not just a set of beliefs and accompanying rituals handed down from generation to generation; rather it is a complex intermingling of traditions, festivals, faiths and doctrines that have permeated every strata of Nepalese Society in such a way as to become the very heartbeat of the nation. Nepal is famous, as the world's only Hindu Kingdom.

identification of Himwatkhanda-Nepal is associated with the ancient Vedic Hindu religion. May all be happy in the world and let no one suffer from disease and be sad. May no one keep ill will towards another being? May all be liberal and compassionate? 'Basudhaiv Kutumbakam'. All humans of the world are our relatives. May all receive equal amount of food, relation and shelter. Let us become a liberal character of compassion and be active for omnipresent. May all worlds be well? 'OM-Shanti' isVedic Hindu customs cleansed indicative. The welfare and happiness of all is the supreme system which is the belief of the Vedic Hindu society. Dr. Basudev Krishna Shastri writes, "Hindus worship the Sun. The light that emanates from Sun is common for all. Without water no living being can survive. This is everyone's right. Such things are beyond divisions, and consumed by all as per their necessity. For the prosperity of human life there must remain equal right and prerogative among us. No one should be hindered from contributing to their nation. So it is mentioned in the Veda, 'Let us all rise for national awareness.'" This shows that Hindu religion is the vehicle that would show path to all human societies.Bramha- Bishnu-Maheshwor (the three Lords) is the guidance of Vedic Hindu life. In the ancient, Vedic Hindu religions the supreme is the ocean where anyone can swim anyhow.

UnitedHinduFront defines- The word "Veda" means knowledge, or wisdom. "Anta" means theculmination. The philosophical school of Vedanta represents the very highest teaching on the nature of man, God and creation in the whole of Sanatana Dharma-Hinduism. Even more, Vedanta represents the highest philosophical and spiritual teachings on earth. Vedanta is theculmination of all divine and human wisdom. An Indian Cultural analyst writes-'There is another hymn in Atharva Veda stating that we are all co-workers for prosperity and make riches flow amongst the people on the path of DharmaandRta(A.V 1-15-2, 4).There is also a common prayer in Rig-Veda for the welfare of all human beings. We should create concord amongst the human beings, love each other as the cow loves the calf born to her, we all speak gently and in a friendly manner, let our water store be common and common also our share of food. Morning and evening let there be loving heart in all of us (R.V 10-191-2 to 4), (A.V 3-30-1 to 7).' In the Vedas scientists are described as men and women of absolute self-control, truthful with scientific outlook and destroyers of miseries. With the help of these scientists one could travel far on the earth and also in the sky through conveyances, which run and touch the middle region

A Scholar Prem Sabhlok quotes- 'Rig-Veda 1-164-46 and Y.V 32-1 clearly mention that God is "One"; wise men call Brahman by different names. The souls in all human beings are the subtle particles (ansh) of the same Supreme Soul- Paramatma. Since the entire cosmos and universe both visible and invisible continues to expand and is described as Brahamand so the Vedic metaphysicists and wise sages (rsis and munnies) found an appropriate epithet for the nameless God as Brahman. In the Rig Veda He is also mentioned as Vishnu- one who spread in Viswa. In Yajur and Atharva Vedas epithets for God are mentioned as Shiva, Shankar Brahma and Shambhu- pure and auspicious. Upanishads describe Nirguna Brahma- the ineffable God as, "Whole is that, whole too is this and from the whole, whole cometh and take whole, yet whole remains."A few Vedic hymns can be mentioned for proper understanding of Nirguna Brahma who is the Universal God. Rig Veda 6-15-13, 14 mentions that He is a pure illuminator, unifier, remover of all miseries, commands all to observe non-violence and other rules of righteousness, which are a-priori principles beyond any sense experiences'.-

An American Scholar Dr Hiro Badlani writes in his book-'Hinduism: Path of the Ancient Wisdom'- 'The word Veda originate from the root Vid, which means 'to know'. The Veda scriptures are considered to be the divine knowledge perceived by the ancient sages, Rishis. The great truth which is remains unchanged even today. Hinduism is a vastly liberal religion. It openly and fervently uncurious and tolerates differences of opinion, use of discretion, and interpretation based on one's own circumstances and perception. In Hindu philosophy, 'Consciousness' is considered as a Divine Awareness' behind all the activity.'

Henry David Thoreau, American Thinker & Author writes- 'Whenever I have read any part of the Vedas, I have felt that some unearthly and unknown light illuminated me. In the great teaching of the Vedas, there is no touch of sectarianism. It is of all ages, climbs, and nationalities and is the royal road for the attainment of the Great Knowledge. When I read it, I feel that I am under the spangled heavens of a summer night.' Mark Twain had expressed- 'Land of religions, cradle of human race, birthplace of human speech, grandmother of legend, great grandmother of tradition. The land that all men desire to see and having seen once even by a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the globe combined.'

An analyst Agniveer Agni expresses- 'Vedas, the first texts of humanity, contain seeds of all forms of knowledge – spiritual or material. And hence it is obvious that there is no possibility of contradiction between claims of Vedas and deductions of science. Unlike other so-called holy texts Vedas do not demand blind belief on unobservable. So there is no blind insistence on belief in any avatar, prophet, god, son of god, mythology or historical claims to avoid some hell-like place and seek some heaven-like holiday spot. On contrary, the Vedic principle is to explore higher levels of truth in most unbiased manner and be honest to the results of this exploration. Science and Vedas go hand in hand.

Thus the approach of Vedas is way different from rest of the religious products with whom Vedas are often wrongly clustered. Vedas do not spoon-feed. They don't expect you to find truths of nature and world by memorizing certain verses. On contrary, Vedas urge humans to put efforts, conduct experiments, reflect upon those experiments and discover wisdom by making best use of this laboratory called life. And in the journey towards more and more advanced experiments you conduct, Vedas stand with you as a trusted guide, coach and mentor.

Vedic Hindu ancient religion is the devotee of Panchadev (the five Gods). 'OM' is the follower of Vedic Hindu Panchadev. A suffering man will remember one of the Pachayan Devs (the five Gods).Panchayan means- it is compulsory to worship the Gods Ganesha, Devi, Surya, Shiva and Bishnu. If one of them is discriminated while carrying out the ritual of worship then the worship will not be complete. However, some Hindu communities have developed their own definition which has created controversy in the ancient Hindu beliefs. We are all the same. We Hindus and Buddhists do not want to invite controversy and dispute. Nepal is stable as a Hindu and Buddhist nation. Our respect to our compatriot is based on the ancient Vedic Hindu religion. Our concern and that of Buddhists' corresponds to each other. Goddess Kali is worshipped by all Hindus as a manifestation of Shakti - the fierce destroyer of all evil. Her peaceful manifestation is Goddess Durga. Like God and Goddess, Cow is known as a shrine for all Hindus and the Buddhists. The cow was venerated as the mother goddess in the early Mediterranean civilizations. The cow became important in Nepal & India, first in the Vedic period (1500 - 900 BCE). The lord Bhishma also observes that the cow acts as a surrogate mother by providing milk to human beings for the whole life. The cow is truly the mother of the world. Cows as Gifts of all gifts, the cow is still considered the highest in rural Nepal, India and the Hindu world. So the holy animal- 'COW' has declared a National animal in Nepal.

'Athmana Pratikulani Paresam nasamacharet' meaning, 'Don't do so for others which you dislike to do or talk'. This is the chief policy of Hinduism. But, a concerning crisis seen in the Hindu communities is the growth of Vaisnav religion, Krishna Pranami, Jain, Shikh along with different definitions and interpretations of religious Gurus has created crisis in the Hindu communities. This has plunged the Hindu religion into controversy. There have been foul attempts to create artificial lacking in the 'OMKAR' (followers of OM). The Cosmic Word OM becomes the raft of knowledge. According to Yajur Veda XL-17, this word OM is Brahma Itself. "OM Khamma Brahma"- OM Thy name is Brahma. Through this Word, He not only created Prakrti and Universe but also protects the same with the divine energy coming out of Shabad Brahma. This cosmic word OM is from the root Ava (to protect).

A Spiritual Indian scholar Prem Sabhlok explans-'In the Vedas scientists are described as men and women of absolute self-control, truthful with scientific outlook and destroyers of miseries (R.V., 1-3-4). With the help of these scientists one could travel far on the earth and also in the sky through conveyances, which run and touch the middle region (R.V., 1-3-1, 6-22-2 and 1-22-2). Such scientists from both the sexes go across to distance places quickly like the mind and electricity (R.V., 1-71-9). In this hymn aircrafts and even space ships are hinted. These ashvinaus should be well versed in Physics, agricultural sciences (R.V. 4-57-5), medical sciences (R.V. 5-74-3), astronomy (S.V. 121) and other sciences'.

Another Vedic scholar Prem Kumar opined- 'The Sun never sets or rises and it is the earth, which rotates (Sama-Ved 121). The gravitational effect of solar system makes the earth stable (R.V.1-103-2, 1-115-4 and 5-81-2). The axle of the earth does not get rusted and the earth continues to revolve on its axle (R.V. 1-164-29). The science of Time and its subtle nature is described in (R.V.1-92-12 and 1-95-8). The need to study the properties of water, air and fire for discovering and manufacturing aircrafts, ships and other vehicles capable of moving in the firmament, land and water are mentioned in Rig Veda 1-3-1,2, 1-34-1, 1-140-1 and many other hymns. Reference to infinite number of both gross and subtle atoms and the energy principle as spirit of God in each atom is given in R.V. 5-47-2 and Sama Veda 222. Atoms and sub atomic particles are not inert and have unsuspected vitality owing to this energy principle. Physical sciences relating to agriculture, medicine, astronomy mathematics particularly algebra, toxicology etc. are described in R.V.1-71-9, 4-57-5,Sama Veda 121 and many other hymns'.

We are proud to be Nepali. We want to be free of foreign intervention pertaining to our national unity, our traditional culture, and we will be free. Since the ancient times democracy has been a system that has been exercised and recited in Himwatkhanda. We have been adopting as the chief policy of giving equal opportunity to all to exercise their freedom, and we have tried to provide food and shelter for all. Religious freedom is our belief. Everyone has the right to follow their own religion. However, by showing the attraction of money, Christians have been alluring people to convert their religion; they have become one of the destroyers the foundation of Hindu religion, which we regard as enemies. Against such people all Hindu world must unite. We must all know that to bring secularism is to invite religious terrorism and civil war. Regardless of who we are; Rai, Limbu, Magar, Gurung, Newar, Brahman, Chetri, Kami, Damai, Sarki, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Awadhi among others, we are all either Hindu or Buddhist. Some Sherpa, Tamang and Newars are affiliated to Buddhism. No matter who follows what Pashupatinath and Swayambunath lay in the same world?